Effect of supramolecular hydrogen bonded network on the properties of maleated ethylene propylene diene rubber/maleated high density polyethylene blend based thermoplastic elastomer

Abstract

A thermoplastic elastomer having supramolecular hydrogen bonded network was prepared by the melt mixing of maleated ethylene propylene diene rubber and maleated high density polyethylene in presence of 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole (ATA), which acts as a coupling agent. The hydrogen bonded network formation in the blend system enhanced the physical properties of the blend. The storage modulus and glass transition temperature of the elastomer-plastic blend containing ATA was found to be increased as compared to the blend without ATA. It was observed that polyblends containing ATA exhibit a rubbery plateau above the melting temperature of the maleated high density polyethylene. Reprocessability study confirmed the thermoplastic elastomeric nature of the polyblend system. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.